Accessory rail mounting system

ABSTRACT

The application discloses an accessory rail for coupling an accessory to a fixture. The accessory rail includes a body including a front side and a rear side, and an accessory mounting structure at the front side of the body. The accessory mounting structure is capable of detachably engaging an accessory for the fixture. The accessory rail includes two protrusions extending from the rear side of the body. The two protrusions are configured to at least partially engage with the fixture during mounting of the accessory rail to the fixture.

BACKGROUND

Various components or accessories can be attached to an existing rifleto improve the overall operation of the rifle and/or experience of theuser. In some instances, a fixation point (e.g., a side rail, or thelike) can be mounted to one side of the rifle and used as an interfaceto secure components or accessories to the rifle. For example, a siderail mounted to the side of a rifle can serve as a fixation point ontowhich an optic mount can be secured. Traditional optic mounts include arail at the top surface (e.g., a Picattiny rail) that can be used tosecure the desired component or accessory to the rifle, such as anoptic. However, it may be desirable to mount more than a singlecomponent or accessory to the rifle, and a position other than the topof the optic mount may be preferred.

SUMMARY

The disclosure relates to an accessory rail and accessory rail mountingsystem (e.g., a side rail, a fixation point, or the like) for couplingan accessory to a fixture associated with a firearm. In someembodiments, the accessory can be an optic, a light, a laser,combinations thereof, or the like. In some embodiments, the firearm canbe a rifle (e.g., an AK-47 rifle, or the like). In some embodiments, thefixture associated with the firearm can be, e.g., an optic mount, ahandguard, or the like. The accessory rail can be detachably secured tothe fixture with a clamp and fasteners, and provides an accessorymounting structure or surface on the fixture. In some embodiments, thefixture can be an optic mount and the accessory rail provides anadditional accessory mounting structure or surface to the mountingstructure (e.g., Picatinny rail) already provided by the optic mount. Insome embodiments, the accessory rail can be mounted on a side surface ofthe optic mount, thereby providing a different orientation of theaccessory as compared to the typically top mounting provided bytraditional optic mounts. Particularly, the accessory mounting structureor surface of the accessory rail can be oriented at an angle relative toa top surface of the firearm (e.g., radially offset), while remainingsubstantially parallel to the barrel of the firearm. In someembodiments, the accessory rail can be mounted in a substantiallyvertical orientation relative to the firearm (e.g., with the accessorymounting structure or surface oriented upwards relative to horizontal,radially in-line with the top surface of the firearm, and substantiallyparallel to the barrel of the firearm.). The accessory rail can beselectively attached or detached relative to the fixture depending onthe needs of the user.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplaryaccessory rail (e.g., accessory fixation point) is provided. Theaccessory rail includes a body including a front side and a rear side,and an accessory mounting structure at the front side of the body. Theaccessory mounting structure is capable of detachably engaging anaccessory for a fixture. The accessory rail includes two protrusionsextending from the rear side of the body. The two protrusions areconfigured to at least partially engage with the fixture during mountingof the accessory rail to the fixture.

In some embodiments, the accessory mounting structure can include acentral groove extending a length of the body, and sets of slots andsteps on opposing sides of the central groove. In some embodiments, theaccessory mounting structure can be a Picattiny rail structure. In someembodiments, the accessory mounting structure can be clamping rings,each clamping ring including first and second halves detachable relativeto each other. The body includes an intermediate section including aplanar surface defining the rear side of the body. The two protrusionscan extend substantially perpendicularly from the planar surface of theintermediate section. The two protrusions each include an inner surface,an outer surface, and side surfaces. The two protrusions extend from therear side of the body in a spaced manner with the inner surfaces of theprotrusions facing each other. The accessory rail includes two holesextending through the body between the front and rear sides. Each of thetwo holes can be configured to receive a fastener therethrough formounting the accessory rail to the fixture.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplaryaccessory rail assembly is provided. The accessory rail assemblyincludes an accessory rail and a clamp. The accessory rail includes abody including a front side and a rear side, and an accessory mountingstructure at the front side of the body. The accessory mountingstructure is capable of detachably engaging an accessory for a fixture.The accessory rail includes two protrusions extending from the rear sideof the body. The two protrusions are configured to at least partiallyengage with the fixture during mounting of the accessory rail to thefixture. The clamp is configured to engage with the accessory rail todetachably secure the accessory rail assembly to the fixture.

The clamp can include a body with a central section and two extensionson opposing sides of the central section. The central section and thetwo extensions can share a front surface of the clamp. Each extension ofthe two extensions includes a rear surface and tapered side surfaces. Atleast a portion of the central section of the clamp can be configured tofit between the two protrusions of the accessory rail during engagementof the accessory rail with the clamp.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplaryaccessory rail system (e.g., accessory rail mounting system) isprovided. The accessory rail system includes an accessory rail assemblyand a fixture. The accessory rail assembly includes an accessory railand a clamp. The accessory rail includes a body including a front sideand a rear side, and an accessory mounting structure at the front sideof the body. The accessory mounting structure is capable of detachablyengaging an accessory for a fixture. The accessory rail includes twoprotrusions extending from the rear side of the body. The twoprotrusions are configured to at least partially engage with the fixtureduring mounting of the accessory rail to the fixture. The clamp isconfigured to engage with the accessory rail. The fixture includes twogrooves formed therein, the two grooves each configured to at leastpartially receive therein the clamp during engagement of the clamp andthe accessory rail with the fixture. The accessory rail is configured tobe positioned on one side of the fixture, and the clamp is configured tobe positioned on an opposing side of the fixture, the clamp and theaccessory rail engaged with each other to detachably secure theaccessory rail assembly to the fixture.

The two grooves of the fixture can include a first groove formed in afirst beam of the fixture and a second groove formed in a second beam ofthe fixture. The clamp includes a body with a central section and twoextensions on opposing sides of the central section. Each extension ofthe two extensions includes a rear surface and tapered side surfaces.The tapered side surfaces of the two extensions can be complementary totapered side walls of the two grooves. During engagement of theaccessory rail with the clamp, the two protrusions of the accessory railcan be positioned within a cutout of the fixture. During engagement ofthe accessory rail with the clamp, at least a portion of the centralsection of the clamp can be positioned between the two protrusions ofthe accessory rail.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplaryside rail configured to be mounted to an optic mount is provided.Methods of fabricating the disclosed side rail are also provided. Theoptic mount includes beams and a cutout between the beams. The side railincludes a body including a front side and a rear side, and an accessorymounting structure at the front side of the body. The accessory mountingstructure is capable of detachably engaging an accessory for the opticmount. The side rail includes two protrusions extending from the rearside of the body. The two protrusions are configured to at leastpartially enter into the cutout between the beams of the optic mountduring mounting of the side rail to the optic mount.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplaryside rail for an optic mount is provided. Methods of fabricating thedisclosed side rail are also provided. The side rail includes a bodyincluding a front side and a rear side, and an accessory mountingstructure at the front side of the body. The accessory mountingstructure is capable of detachably engaging an accessory for the opticmount. The side rail includes two protrusions extending from the rearside of the body. The two protrusions are configured to at leastpartially engage with the optic mount during mounting of the side railto the optic mount.

In some embodiments, the accessory mounting structure can include acentral groove extending a length of the body, and sets of slots andsteps on opposing sides of the central groove. In some embodiments, theaccessory mounting structure can be in the form of a Picattiny railstructure. The body can include an intermediate section including aplanar surface defining the rear side of the body. The two protrusionscan extend substantially perpendicularly from the planar surface of theintermediate section. The two protrusions can each include an innersurface, an outer surface, and side surfaces. The two protrusions canextend from the rear side of the body in a spaced manner with the innersurfaces of the protrusions facing each other. The side rail includestwo holes extending through the body between the front and rear sides.Each of the two holes is configured to receive a fastener therethroughfor mounting the side rail to the optic mount.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplaryside rail assembly is provided. Methods of fabricating the disclosedside rail assembly are also provided. The side rail assembly includes aside rail and a clamp. The side rail includes a body including a frontside and a rear side, and an accessory mounting structure at the frontside of the body. The accessory mounting structure is capable ofdetachably engaging an accessory for the optic mount. The side railincludes two protrusions extending from the rear side of the body. Thetwo protrusions are configured to at least partially engage with theoptic mount during mounting of the side rail to the optic mount. Theclamp of the side rail assembly is configured to engage with the siderail to detachably secure the side rail assembly to an optic mount.

In some embodiments, the clamp can include a body with a central sectionand two extensions on opposing sides of the central section. The centralsection and the two extensions can share a front surface of the clamp.In some embodiments, each extension of the two extensions of the clampcan include a rear surface and tapered side surfaces. At least a portionof the central section of the clamp is configured to fit between the twoprotrusions of the side rail during engagement of the side rail with theclamp.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplaryside rail system is provided. Methods of fabricating the disclosed siderail system are also provided. The side rail system includes a side railassembly with a side rail and a clamp, and an optic mount. The side railincludes a body including a front side and a rear side, and an accessorymounting structure at the front side of the body. The accessory mountingstructure is capable of detachably engaging an accessory for the opticmount. The side rail includes two protrusions extending from the rearside of the body. The two protrusions are configured to at leastpartially engage with the optic mount during mounting of the side railto the optic mount. The clamp is configured to engage with the siderail. The optic mount includes two beams and a cutout between the beams.The side rail is configured to be positioned on one side of the twobeams of the optic mount, and the clamp is configured to be positionedon an opposing side of the two beams of the optic mount. The clamp andthe side rail engage with each other to detachably secure the side railassembly to the optic mount.

In some embodiments, the optic mount can include a groove formed on eachof the two beams. The grooves are configured to at least partiallyreceive the clamp during engagement of the side rail assembly with theoptic mount. The clamp can include a body with a central section and twoextensions on opposing sides of the central section. Each extension ofthe two extensions can include a rear surface and tapered side surfaces.The tapered side surfaces of the two extensions can be substantiallycomplementary to tapered side walls of the grooves. During engagement ofthe side rail with the clamp, the two protrusions of the side rail canbe positioned at least partially within the cutout of the optic mountbetween the two beams. During engagement of the side rail with theclamp, at least a portion of the central section of the clamp can bepositioned between the two protrusions of the side rail.

The disclosure also relates to an optic mount assembly for coupling anoptic mount to a side rail of a rifle (e.g., an AK-47 rifle, or thelike). The optic mount assembly includes a clamping bar and a leverpivotally coupled relative to each other by a fastener. The lever isconfigured with a posterior contour to be at least partially rotatedinto a corresponding contoured cutout of the side rail to preventlateral movement of the optic mount relative to the side rail.Engagement of the lever relative to the clamping bar tightens theclamping bar against a surface of the side rail to prevent verticalmovement of the optic mount relative to the side rail. Engagement of theclamping bar with the side rail can also prevent lateral movement of theoptic mount relative to the side rail. The distance between the clampingbar and lever can be adjusted to customize the optic mount assembly foruse with differently sized side rails.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, anexemplary optic mount assembly is provided. The optic mount assemblyincludes a clamping bar including a body and protrusions extending fromopposing side surfaces of the body. The optic mount assembly includes alever pivotally coupled to the clamping bar. The optic mount assemblyincludes a fastener coupling the lever to the clamping bar.

The lever is configured to be at least partially rotated into andengaged with a cutout of a side rail, and configured to be inserted intoa cutout in an optic mount. The clamping bar includes front and rearsurfaces on opposing sides of the body. The protrusions extend from theopposing side surfaces and are aligned with the front surface of theclamping bar. The clamping bar includes a first recessed area formed ina bottom surface and extending a partial distance towards a top surfaceof the clamping bar, the first recessed area aligned with a frontsurface of the clamping bar. The clamping bar includes a second recessedarea disposed within the first recessed area, the second recessed areaincluding a plurality of radially spaced vertical slots configured toengage with a head of the fastener. The clamping bar includes a holeextending through the body, the first and second recessed areasconcentrically disposed relative to the hole.

The lever includes a first section extending substantiallyperpendicularly from a second section. The first and second sectionsdefine a substantially L-shaped configuration. The second sectionincludes a slot extending therethrough, the slot separating the secondsection into a top section and a bottom section. The lever includes afirst hole extending through the top section and a second hole extendingthrough the bottom section, the first and second holes aligned along avertical axis. The fastener includes a head with a plurality of radiallyspaced peaks and valleys configured to engage with complementary slotsformed in the clamping bar. The optic mount assembly includes one ormore springs disposed between the clamping bar and the lever, or betweenthe clamping bar and a body of an optic mount.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, anexemplary optic mount system is provided. The optic mount systemincludes an optic mount and an optic mount assembly coupled to the opticmount. The optic mount assembly includes a clamping bar including a bodyand protrusions extending from opposing side surfaces of the body. Theoptic mount assembly includes a lever pivotally coupled to the clampingbar. The optic mount assembly includes a fastener coupling the lever tothe clamping bar.

The optic mount includes a cutout formed in a bottom surface andextending inwardly into a body of the optic mount. The cutout isconfigured complementary to the body and the protrusions of the clampingbar, the cutout configured to slidingly receive therein the clampingbar. The optic mount includes a central section with an outer step. Thelever is configured to fit within the outer step of the optic mount. Theoptic mount includes a flange extending outwardly from a wall of theouter step. The lever includes a first section extending substantiallyperpendicularly from a second section, a slot extending through thesecond section and separating the second section into a top section anda bottom section. The flange of the optic mount is configured to fitwithin the slot of the second section of the lever.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplaryoptic mount assembly is provided. The optic mount assembly includes aclamping bar including a body with front and rear surfaces on opposingsides of the body. The clamping bar includes protrusions extending fromopposing side surfaces of the body. The optic mount assembly includes alever pivotally coupled to the clamping bar. The lever includes a firstsection extending substantially perpendicularly from a second section.The optic mount assembly includes a fastener coupling the lever to theclamping bar.

Any combination and/or permutation of embodiments is envisioned. Otherobjects and features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Itis to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as anillustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the disclosedaccessory rail, reference is made to the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary optic mount assemblyincluding a clamping bar, lever and fastener for mounting an optic mountto an accessory rail in the form of a side rail;

FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of an exemplary clamping bar of anoptic mount assembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of an exemplary clamping bar of anoptic mount assembly;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an exemplary clamping bar of an optic mountassembly;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary clamping bar of an optic mountassembly;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary clamping bar of an optic mountassembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective bottom view of an exemplary lever of an opticmount assembly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective top view of an exemplary lever of an optic mountassembly;

FIG. 9 is a top view of an exemplary lever of an optic mount assembly;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary fastener of an optic mountassembly;

FIG. 11 is a perspective front view of an exemplary optic mount;

FIG. 12 is a perspective rear view of an exemplary optic mount;

FIG. 13 is a front view of an exemplary optic mount;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of an exemplary optic mount;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of an exemplary optic mount;

FIG. 16 is a side view of an exemplary optic mount;

FIG. 17 is a side view of an engagement mechanism for an exemplary opticmount;

FIG. 18 is a perspective front view of an exemplary optic mount assemblycoupled to an exemplary optic mount;

FIG. 19 is a perspective rear view of an exemplary optic mount assemblycoupled to an exemplary optic mount;

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an exemplary side rail in theform of a side rail;

FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary side rail in the formof a side rail;

FIG. 22 is a front view of an exemplary side rail;

FIG. 23 is a front view of an exemplary side rail mounted to a leftreceiver wall of a rifle;

FIG. 24 is a side view of an exemplary optic mount and optic mountassembly coupled to a side rail mounted to a receiver wall of a rifle;

FIG. 25 is a side view of an exemplary accessory rail;

FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary accessory rail;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an exemplary clamp for an accessoryrail;

FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary accessory railassembly;

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary accessory rail duringattachment to an optic mount;

FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary accessory railassembly attached to an optic mount;

FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of an exemplary accessory railassembly attached to an optic mount;

FIG. 32 is a front perspective view of an exemplary accessory railassembly attached to an optic mount;

FIG. 33 is a front view of an exemplary accessory rail assembly attachedto an optic mount;

FIG. 34 is a front perspective view of an exemplary accessory rail; and

FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of an exemplary accessory rail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary optic mount assembly discussed herein allows for couplingan optic mount to a side rail of a rifle. The optic mount assemblyincludes a clamping bar and a lever pivotally coupled relative to eachother by a fastener. The lever is configured to be at least partiallyrotated into a contoured cutout of a side rail to prevent lateralmovement of the optic mount relative to the side rail. Engagement of thelever relative to the clamping bar tightens the clamping bar against asurface of the side rail to prevent vertical movement of the optic mountrelative to the side rail. Engagement of the clamping bar with the siderail can also prevent lateral movement of the optic mount relative tothe side rail. The distance between the clamping bar and lever can beadjusted to customize the optic mount assembly for use with differentlysized side rails. The fastener includes radial peaks and valleys thatallow incremental radial adjustment of the fastener relative to theclamping bar. Such adjustment of the fastener relative to the clampingbar adjusts the distance between the clamping bar and the lever forfixation of differently sized side rails.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary optic mount assembly 100.The optic mount assembly 100 can be used to detachably secure an opticmount to a rail (e.g., a side rail, a fixation point, or the like) of afire arm, such as an AK rifle. The optic mount assembly 100 generallyincludes a clamping bar 102 and a lever 104 pivotally coupled relativeto each other by a fastener 106. In some embodiments, a spring 108(diagrammatically shown in FIG .1) can be disposed around the fastener106 and between the clamping bar 102 and lever 104 to provide a biasingforce between the clamping bar 102 and lever 104, resulting in aquick-release function of the assembly 100. In some embodiments, springs107, 109 (diagrammatically shown in FIG. 19) can be disposed withinopenings in the clamping bar 102 on either side of the fastener 106(rather than around the fastener 106) to provide a biasing force betweenthe clamping bar 102 and the body of the optic mount (e.g., optic mount200 of FIGS. 11-16). Details of each of the components of the opticmount assembly 100 will be discussed below.

FIGS. 2-6 are perspective bottom, perspective top, bottom, top and sideviews of the exemplary clamping bar 102 of the optic mount assembly 100.With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the clamping bar 102 includes a body 110defining a substantially rectangular configuration. The body 110includes a substantially planar or flat rear surface 112, front surface114, and side surfaces 116, 118. The rear and front surfaces 112, 114can be substantially parallel to each other, and the side surfaces 116,118 can be substantially parallel to each other. The body 110 includesbottom and top surfaces 120, 122 extending substantially parallel toeach other.

At or near the front surface 114 of the clamping bar 102, the body 110includes two semi-circular protrusions 124, 126 (e.g., wings) extendingfrom opposing side surfaces 116, 118. The protrusions 124, 126 extendfrom the respective side surfaces 116, 118 and connect with the frontsurface 114 of the clamping bar 102, such that one end of theprotrusions 124, 126 aligns with the plane defined by the front surface114. The position of the protrusions 124, 126 results in a substantiallyT-shaped configuration of the body 110. The protrusions 124, 126 definea thickness dimensioned substantially similar to the thickness of thebody 110, with the top and bottom surfaces of the protrusions 124, 126aligned with planes defined by the respective bottom and top 120, 122 ofthe body 110.

The clamping bar 102 includes a cutout 128 formed in the top surface122. The cutout 128 can be located at or near the rear surface 112, andextends downwardly or inwardly from the top surface 122 a partialdistance towards the bottom surface 120. The cutout 128 can define asubstantially V-shaped configuration. In some embodiments, one wall ofthe cutout 128 (e.g., the innermost wall) can extend substantiallyparallel to the rear and front surfaces 112, 114, and the second wall ofthe cutout 128 (e.g., the outermost wall) can extend at an anglerelative to the rear and front surfaces 112, 114. The cutout 128 canextend between the side surfaces 116, 118, with the opening formed bythe cutout 128 extending out through the side surfaces 116, 118. Thecutout 128 can be configured complementary to one edge (e.g., a bottomedge) of a dovetail protrusion of a side rail. As will be discussed ingreater detail below, the cutout 128 engages with the edge of thedovetail protrusion of the side rail to prevent vertical and/or lateralmovement of the optic mount relative to the side rail.

The clamping bar 102 includes three holes 130-134 formed in the topsurface 122 and extending towards the bottom surface 120. The holes130-134 can be disposed between the cutout 128 and the front surface114. Each of the holes 130-134 can be unthreaded. The holes 130, 132 canextend a partial distance through the thickness of the body 110 suchthat the holes 130, 132 are only visible at the top surface 122. In someembodiments, the holes 130, 132 can extend half of the thickness of thebody 110. In some embodiments, the holes 130, 132 can receive one end ofone or more springs (e.g., springs 107, 109 of FIG. 19) to provide abiasing force against the clamping bar 102, with the opposing end of thesprings disposed within corresponding holes in the optic mount. Abiasing force is thereby provided between the clamping bar 102 and theoptic mount by the springs 107, 109. The central hole 134 extendsthrough the body 110 such that the hole 134 is visible at both the topand bottom surfaces 122, 120.

The clamping bar 102 includes a substantially semi-circular groove orrecessed area 136 (e.g., first recessed area) formed in the bottomsurface 120 and extending downwardly towards the top surface 122. Therecessed area 136 extends a partial distance or thickness towards thetop surface 122 (e.g., about ⅛ of the thickness, about ¼ of thethickness, or the like). The recessed area 136 is disposed such that thecurved section faces the rear surface 112 and the flat or planar sectionis aligned with the front surface 114, forming an opening at the frontsurface 114. The recessed area 136 is substantially concentricallydisposed relative to the hole 134.

The first recessed area 136 includes a second recessed area 138 disposedwithin the first recessed area 136 and extending a partial distance orthickness towards the top surface 122 from the recessed area 136. Therecessed area 138 forms a circumferential step 140 substantiallycircumferentially disposed relative to the hole 134. The height of thecircumferential step 140 can correspond with the thickness of thefastener 106 head, such that the fastener 106 head can be inserted intothe recessed area 138. The clamping bar 102 includes a plurality ofradially spaced slots 142 formed in the circumferential step 140. Theslots 142 are radially spaced around the hole 134 and are formed in theinner walls of the circumferential step 140, thereby extending upwardsand above the hole 134. As will be discussed in greater detail below,the slots 142 engage with complementary edges or protrusions of thefastener 106 to provide multiple engagement positions between thefastener 106 and the clamping bar 102. A gap 144 between walls of thecircumferential step 140 forms an opening at the front surface 114. Thewidth of the gap 144 can be dimensioned smaller than the width of theopening formed by the first recessed area 136.

FIGS. 7-9 are perspective bottom, perspective top and top views of theexemplary lever 104 of the optic mount assembly 100. With reference toFIGS. 1 and 7-9, the lever 104 includes a body with a first section 146and a second section 148 extending substantially perpendicularly fromeach other. The first section 146 defines a substantially rectangularconfiguration, including an inner surface 150, and outer surface 152, anend surface 154, and top and bottom surfaces 156, 158. In someembodiments, the first section 146 can taper slightly towards the endsurface 154, thereby reducing the thickness of the first section 146 ator near the end surface 154. The first section 146 includes a detent 160formed in the bottom surface 158 and extending a partial distanceupwards towards the top surface 156. As will be discussed below, thedetent 160 is configured to receive a spring-loaded ball of anengagement mechanism of an optic mount to maintain the position of thelever 104 relative to the optic mount.

The first section 146 can connect to the second section 148 at asubstantially curved area 162 disposed at the inner surface 150. Thesecond section 148 includes a slot 164 extending therethrough. The slot164 can extend substantially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces156, 158, extending the full thickness of the second section 148. Theslot 164 separates the second section 148 into a top section 166 and abottom section 168. The slot 164 can extend through the curved area 162without extending through the first section 146. In some embodiments,the slot 164 can be disposed substantially centrally between the top andbottom surfaces 156, 158. In such embodiments, the length or height ofthe top and bottom sections 166, 168 can be substantially equal. In someembodiments, the slot 164 can be disposed closer to the bottom surface158 (see, e.g., FIG. 7). In such embodiments, the length or height ofthe top section 166 can be dimensioned greater than the length or heightof the bottom section 168. The top and/or bottom sections 166, 168 canbe contoured to engage with a reverse contoured cutout in the side rail(see, e.g., scalloped section 302 in side rail 300 of FIG. 20) toprevent lateral movement of the optic mount relative to the side rail.In some embodiments, only the bottom section 168 can engage with thescalloped section 302 in the side rail 300. The smaller height of thebottom section 168 provides sufficient room during assembly with anoptic mount to permit sliding of the clamping bar 102 within the opticmount to accommodate side rails of different dimensions.

The configuration of each of the top and bottom sections 166, 168 can besubstantially equal (except for the dimensional difference noted above).The inner face 170 of the top and bottom sections 166, 168 can besubstantially rounded (e.g., convex), while the side face 172 of the topand bottom sections 166, 168 can be substantially flat. The side face172 can define the opposing end of the lever 104 relative to the endsurface 154. Each of the top and bottom sections 166, 168 includes ahole 174, 176 extending therethrough along an axis perpendicular to thetop and bottom surfaces 156, 158. The holes 174, 176 can extend alongthe same vertical axis. Each of the holes 174, 176 can include internalthreads complementary to the outer threads of the fastener 106. Thediameter of the holes 174, 176 can be dimensioned such that the fastener106 can be inserted therethrough by engaging the complementary threads.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the exemplary fastener 106 of the opticmount assembly 100. The fastener 106 includes a head 178 and asubstantially cylindrical body 180 extending perpendicularly from abottom surface 182 of the head 178. A top surface 184 of the head 178can define a substantially planar or flat configuration. The head 178includes a hexagonal opening 186 formed in the top surface 184 andextending towards the bottom surface 182 a partial distance or thicknessof the head 178. The opening 186 can extend along the same centrallongitudinal axis as the cylindrical body 180. The hexagonal opening 186can be configured to receive a hex key.

The circumferential side edge of the head 178 includes a plurality ofradially spaced protrusions or peaks 188 separated by a plurality ofradially spaced valleys 190. The configuration of the peaks 188 andvalleys 190 can be complementary to the radially spaced slots 142 formedin the clamping bar 102, such that the cylindrical body 180 can bepassed through the hole 134 and the head 178 can slide within the slots142 to engage with the clamping bar 102. In some embodiments, the head178 can include six peaks 188. As will be discussed in greater detailbelow, the multiple peaks 188 in the head 178 allow for the engagementposition between the fastener 106 and the clamping bar 102 to beincrementally adjusted prior to assembly with a side rail, ensuring thatthe optic mount assembly 100 can be customized and adjusted for siderails of different thicknesses. The cylindrical body 180 includesexternal threads 191 along at least a portion of the body 180, with thethreads 191 extending downwardly along the body 180 up to a distal end192 of the fastener 106. The distal end 192 can be the opposing end fromthe head 178.

With reference to FIGS. 1-10, during assembly, the body 180 of thefastener 106 can be passed through the hole 134 of the clamping bar 102until the protrusions 188 of the head 178 engage with the slots 142 inthe clamping bar 102. In one embodiment, the spring 108 can be disposedover the body 180 of the fastener 106, and the distal end 192 of thefastener 106 can be threaded into the hole 176 of the lever 104. In suchembodiment, a biasing force is created between the clamping bar 102 andthe lever 104 by the spring 108. In another embodiment, springs 107, 109(shown in FIG. 19) can be disposed within the holes 130, 134 of theclamping bar 102 on either side of the fastener 106 to provide asubstantially equal bilateral biasing force between the clamping bar 102and the optic mount. One end of the springs 107, 109 can be disposedwithin the holes 130, 134, and the opposing end of the springs 107, 109can be disposed within corresponding holes (e.g., holes 260 in FIG. 12)in the optic mount to maintain the position and alignment of the springs107, 109. Thus, either one central spring 108 can be used, two springs107, 109 on opposing sides of the fastener 106 can be used, or all threesprings 107, 108, 109 can be used. Engagement of the protrusions 188 ofthe head 178 of the fastener 106 with the slots 142 of the clamping bar102 ensure that the radial position of the fastener 106 relative to theclamping bar 102 is maintained during rotation or pivoting of the lever104.

Rotation or pivoting of the lever 104 relative to the clamping bar 102in one direction at least partially unthreads the fastener 106 from thehole 176, increasing the distance 111 between the lever 104 and theclamping bar 102 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). Rotation or pivoting of the lever104 relative to the clamping bar 102 in the opposing direction threadsthe fastener 106 further into the hole 176 of the lever 104 reducing thedistance 111 between the lever 104 and the clamping bar 102. Suchrotation can be used to tighten or loosen the optic mount assembly 100relative to an optic mount and/or side rail. In embodiments having thespring 108 disposed around the fastener 106, the spring 108 biases theclamping bar 102 from the lever 104. In embodiments having the springs107, 109, the springs 107, 109 bias the clamping bar 102 from the opticmount body. Therefore, when the lever 104 is rotated relative to theclamping bar 102 to increase the distance 111 between the lever 104 andclamping bar 102, the spring 108 (or springs 107, 109) can bias theclamping bar 102 away from the lever 104 (or the optic mount body) toact as a quick-release feature.

Due to the difference in widths of the dovetail-shaped protrusion of theside rail, the initial distance 111 between the lever 104 and theclamping bar 102 may need to be adjusted prior to tightening theassembly 100 relative to the optic mount and/or side rail. Theconfiguration of the head 178 of the fastener 106 provides for up totwelve different radial positions of the fastener 106 relative to theclamping bar 102. For example, if the distance 111 between the lever 104and clamping bar 102 is too small, the head 178 can be disengaged fromthe clamping bar 102, the fastener 106 can be rotated slightly clockwiseor counterclockwise to reposition the peaks 188 relative to the slots142 of the clamping bar 102. Once reengaged, the distance 111 betweenthe lever 104 and clamping bar 102 can be checked and adjusted as neededto ensure a tight connection between the assembly 100 and the opticmount and/or side rail when the lever 104 is positioned in the lockedposition. The configuration of the fastener 106 thereby provides forincremental adjustment of the assembly 100, allowing customization ofthe assembly 100 for different side rails.

FIGS. 11-16 are perspective front, perspective rear, front, rear, bottomand side views of an exemplary optic mount 200. The optic mount assembly100 can be incorporated into the optic mount 200 for securing the opticmount 200 to a side rail of a rifle. The optic mount 200 includes a bodyhaving a front surface 202, a rear surface 204, a bottom surface 206,and a top surface 208. The optic mount 200 includes first opposing sidesections 210, 212 extending from the bottom surface 206 in asubstantially parallel manner relative to each other and a substantiallyperpendicular manner relative to the bottom surface 206. The optic mount200 includes second opposing side sections 214, 216 extending from thefirst opposing side sections 210, 212 and connecting with the topsurface 208. The second opposing side sections 214, 216 extend at anangle relative to the first opposing side sections 210, 212, the bottomsurface 206 and the top surface 208 (e.g., angled rearward).

The optic mount 200 includes a rail 218 (e.g., a Picattiny rail) at thetop surface 208. The rail 218 includes a central groove 220 (e.g., aconcave groove) extending the length of the top surface 208, with setsof slots 222 and steps 224 for mounting components to the rail 218. Forexample, an optical scope can be mounted to the rail 218. The centralgroove 220 provides clearance to use the rifle's fixed sights when thered dot or scope is removed from the rail 218 of the optic mount 200. Asillustrated in FIG. 16, the front surface 208 can be angled rearwardsuch that the rail 218 is disposed at an offset vertical plane relativeto the bottom surface 206. When the optic mount 200 is secured to thereceiver of a rifle, the rail 218 can be substantially aligned with thetop and barrel of the rifle.

The optic mount 200 includes first and second cutouts 226, 228 formed inthe body and extending between the front and rear surfaces 202, 204. Insome embodiments, the cutout 226 can be substantially triangular inconfiguration and the cutout 228 can be substantially rectangular inconfiguration. The cutouts 226, 228 can reduce the overall weight of theoptic mount 200 and can provide access to sections of the rifle when theoptic mount 200 is secured to the receiver of the rifle. The cutouts226, 228 result in three beams 230-234 of the body extending from therail 218 downward towards a base section 236 of the optic mount 200. Thebeam 230 can define one lateral edge of the optic mount 200, the beam232 can define an intermediate beam of the optic mount 200, and the beam234 can define an opposing lateral edge of the optic mount 200. Althoughillustrated with beams 230-234, it should be understood that the opticmount 200 can include less than three beams 230-234 (e.g., a singlecutout 226 with beams 230, 234), or can be completely solid between theopposing lateral edges (e.g., no cutouts 226, 228).

The base section 236 of the optic mount 200 includes two recessed areas238, 240 formed in the front surface 202 at or near the edge of thebottom surface 206. The recessed areas 238, 240 can be disposed oneither side of a central section 242 of the front surface 202 protrudingoutwardly relative to the recessed areas 238, 240. At the rear surface204, the base section 236 includes a cutout 244 extending from thebottom surface 206 upwards toward an inner step 246. As illustrated inFIG. 15, the cross-sectional configuration of the cutout 244 can besubstantially complementary to the configuration of the clamping bar 102(see, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 5). Particularly, the cutout 244 includes asubstantially rectangular section 248 and semi-circular sections 250,252 on opposing sides of the cutout 244. The width of the cutout 244 atthe rear surface 204 corresponds with the width of the clamping bar 102at the rear surface 112 such that the clamping bar 102 can slide upwardswithin the cutout 244 to engage an edge of the dovetail protrusion of aside rail. In some embodiments, the cutout 244 can include a concavegroove 254 formed in the wall disposed between the semi-circularsections 250, 252. The groove 254 provides clearance for rotation of thefastener 106 during assembly.

A central hole 256 can be formed in the inner step 246 and extendsthrough the body and through an outer step 258 at the front surface 202of the optic mount 200. In embodiments including the spring 108 disposedaround the fastener 106, the central hole 256 diameter can bedimensioned to accommodate passage of the spring 108 therethrough suchthat the spring 108 is disposed between surfaces of the clamping bar 102and the lever 104. In some embodiments, the central hole 256 can becountersunk to accommodate the spring 108. Two holes 260 can be formedin the inner step 246 adjacent to the central hole 256, the holes 260extending only a partial distance into the body without extendingthrough to the outer step 258. When assembled with the clamping bar 102,the holes 260 can align with and correspond to holes 130, 132 in theclamping bar 102. One end of the springs 107, 109 can thereby bedisposed within the holes 130, 132, and the opposing end of the springs107, 109 can be disposed with the respective holes 260 to maintain theposition and alignment of the springs 107, 109. The outer step 258includes a vertical wall 262 extending substantially parallel to thefront surface 202 and recessed relative to the front surface 202. Thevertical wall 262 connects with a top wall 264 of the outer step 258,the top wall 264 defining the bottommost surface of the cutout 226.

A flange 266 extends from the vertical wall 262 at the top wall 264. Theflange 266 can define a substantially thin thickness, resulting in aspace 268 between the bottom surface of the flange 266 and the topsurface of the outer step 258. The top surface of the flange 266 can bealigned with the top wall 264, and the frontmost surface of the flange266 can be aligned with the central section 242 of the front surface202. A hole 270 can be formed in the flange 266. The hole 270 defines adiameter dimensioned substantially similar to the diameter of the hole256, and is aligned along a vertical axis with the hole 256. The basesection 236 includes an oval cutout 272 in the vertical wall 262disposed below the flange 266. The cutout 272 extends through thevertical wall 262 and to the rear surface 204. The base section 236includes a threaded hole 274 formed in the outer step 258 at a positionopposing the cutout 272. The threaded hole 274 can extend through thebody and up to the bottom surface 206. As will be discussed in greaterdetail below, the threaded hole 274 can receive an engagement mechanism(see FIG. 17).

The rear surface 204 of the base section 236 includes a groove 278formed therein and extending into the body towards the front surface202. The groove 278 includes a first section 280 defining asubstantially linear or rectangular configuration, and a second section282 defining a substantially curved or circular configuration. The firstsection 280 can extend from the first opposing side section 212 towardsthe first opposing side section 210. The second section 282 can connectto the distal end of the first section 280 near the first opposing sidesection 210 without extending through to the first opposing side section210. The internal configuration of the groove 278 at the first section280 can be substantially dovetailed and is configured to slidablyreceive therein the dovetailed configuration of a side rail. Thedovetailed configuration of the first section 280 forms angled sides284, 286 expanding inwardly and tapering towards the rear surface 206 toreduce the opening of the groove 278 at the rear surface 204. The innerwall of the second section 282 can act as a stop to prevent furthersliding of the optic mount 200 along the side rail in one direction. Thecutout 244 formed in the optic mount 200 extends from the bottom surface206 and at least partially into the first section 280 of the groove 278.As will be described below, the extension of the cutout 244 into thefirst section 280 allows for the clamping bar 102 to slide upwardsthrough the cutout 244 to engage an edge of a dovetail protrusion of theside rail.

FIG. 17 is a side view of an engagement mechanism 288 for the opticmount 200. The engagement mechanism 288 can be in the form of a springball plunger. As will be discussed below, the engagement mechanism 288can be used to temporarily lock the position of the lever 104 relativeto the optic mount 200. The engagement mechanism 288 includes aspring-loaded ball 290 at one end, the ball 290 capable of beingdepressed into the body 292. The body 292 includes external threads 294complementary to inner threads of the hole 274 in the optic mount 200.The base 296 of the engagement mechanism 288 includes a slot 298 forengagement with a screwdriver for installation of the engagementmechanism 288 within the hole 274 of the optic mount 200. For example,the engagement mechanism 288 can be inserted into and threaded throughthe hole 274 from the bottom surface 206 of the optic mount until thespring-loaded ball 290 extends the desired distance out of the hole 274at the outer step 258. Although illustrated as extending from the outerstep 258 to engage with a bottom surface of the lever 104, it should beunderstood that the engagement mechanism 288 could be placed laterallyin the optic mount 200 (e.g., a lateral wall of the outer step 258) tosecure the lever 104 from the side. In another embodiment, the lever 104could be serviced from the top with the engagement mechanism 288 byreversing the fastener 106 orientation such that the fastener 106 head178 is located above the lever 104 and threaded downward into the lever104 and the optic mount 200.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show perspective front and rear views of the optic mountassembly 100 coupled to the optic mount 200 (e.g., an optic mountsystem). During assembly, the lever 104 can be fitted onto the opticmount 200 by sliding the flange 266 through the slot 164 of the lever104. As the flange 266 slides into the slot 164, the top section 166 ofthe lever 104 fits over the top wall 264 of the optic mount 200 and thebottom section 168 of the lever 104 fits in the space 268 between thebottom surface of the flange 266 and the top surface of the outer step258, and at least partially through the cutout 272. The outer surface152 of the first section 146 of the lever 104 can substantially alignwith the front surface 202 of the optic mount 200. The first section 146of the lever 104 fits against the vertical wall 262 and can be confinedby the walls of the outer step 258.

The fastener 106 can be inserted through the hole 134 in the clampingbar 102 and the peaks 188 and valleys 190 at the head 178 of thefastener 106 can be engaged with respective slots 142 of the clampingbar 102. Such engagement maintains the rotational position of thefastener 106 relative to the clamping bar 102. In one embodiment, thespring 108 can be placed over the body 180 extending out of the hole 134on the opposing side of the clamping bar 102 from the head 178. Inanother embodiment, one end of springs 107, 109 can be placed partiallyinto the holes 130, 132 in the clamping bar 102 to provide a bilateralbiasing force on either side of the fastener 106 between the clampingbar 102 and the optic mount 200. The opposing end of the springs 107,109 can be placed partially into the holes 260 in the optic mount 200.The clamping bar 102 can be slid upwardly into the cutout 244 at thebottom surface 206 of the optic mount 200 until the distal end 192 ofthe fastener 106 passes through the central hole 256 in the optic mount200 and threadingly engages with the holes 174, 176 of the lever 104.

Threading of the fastener 106 with the lever 104 adjusts the distancebetween the lever 104 and the clamping bar 102 based on the size of theside rail. Engagement between the fastener 106 and the lever 104 alsomaintains the assembly 100 coupled to the optic mount 200. If adjustmentof the distance between the lever 104 and the clamping bar 102 isneeded, the head 178 of the fastener 106 can be disengaged from theslots 142 of the clamping bar 102, the fastener 106 can be rotated toreduce or increase the distance between the lever 104 and the clampingbar 102, and the head 178 can be engaged with the slots 142. Forexample, the clamping bar 102 can be pushed upwards within the cutout244 to be positioned against the protrusion 320 of the side rail 300,and the fastener 106 can be threaded into the holes 174, 176 until thefastener 106 can be engaged again with the slots 142 to maintain therotation position of the fastener 106. When the desired position of thefastener 106 is achieved, the lever 104 can be rotated to tighten theclamping bar 102 relative to the side rail.

Rotation of the lever 104 can tighten or loosen the connection betweenthe fastener 106 and the lever 104, thereby adjusting the distancebetween the top surface 122 of the clamping bar 102 and the inner step246 (see, e.g., FIG. 19). Because the cutout 244 extends at leastpartially into the first section 280 of the groove 278 in the opticmount 200, reducing the distance between the clamping bar 102 and theinner step 246 results in movement of the clamping bar 102 into thegroove 278. As will be discussed below, during engagement of the opticmount 200 with a dovetail protrusion of the side rail, reduction of thedistance between the clamping bar 102 and the inner step 246 results inthe clamping bar 102 imparting a force on the side rail to maintain theposition of the optic mount 200 relative to the side rail.

Depending on the dimensions of the side rail dovetail protrusion, theradial position of the head 178 of the fastener 106 can be incrementallyadjusted relative to the slots 142 of the clamping bar 102 to providefor a tighter or looser customized distance between the clamping bar 102and the inner step 246. FIG. 18 shows the lever 104 in the closed orlocked position. Prior to locking the lever 104, the first section 146of the lever 104 can be pivoted outward to project away from the opticmount 200 (e.g., by about 90°, by between about 45° and about 110°, orthe like). The desired distance between the clamping bar 102 and theinner step 246 (and/or the bottom edge of a dovetail protrusion of aside rail) can be achieved, and the lever 104 can be pivoted or rotatedinwardly to the position shown in FIG. 18 to lock the lever 104 inplace. The engagement mechanism 288 projecting from the optic mount 200can engage with the detent 160 in the lever 104 to maintain therotational position of the lever 104 relative to the optic mount 200until unlocking of the lever 104 is desired. Upon unlocking of the lever104 and rotation outwardly, the spring 108, 107, 109) between theclamping bar 102 and the optic mount 200 and/or the lever 104 can act asa quick release mechanism to bias the clamping bar 102 away from theoptic mount 200 and/or the lever 104, to release the side rail.

FIGS. 20-22 are front perspective, rear perspective and front views ofan exemplary side rail 300. The side rail 300 is configured to bedetachably mounted to a receiver of a rifle with the mounting pins (notshown), and can be used to attach various components (e.g., the opticmount 200, or the like) to the side of the rifle. The side rail 300includes a substantially rectangular body 306 having a front surface308, a rear surface 310, side edges 312, 314, top edge 316, and bottomedge 318. The front and rear surfaces 308, 310 can be substantiallyplanar or flat. The side, top and bottom edges 312-318 can besubstantially planar or flat and, in some embodiments, can be connectedby chamfered edges. As shown in FIG. 20, the side rail 300 includes aprotrusion 320 having a dovetail configuration. The protrusion 320extends away from the front surface 308 with side edges 322, 324 of theprotrusion 320 expanding outwardly at angles greater than 90°. Thesection of the protrusion 320 connected at the front surface 308 istherefore dimensioned smaller in width than the outermost section of theprotrusion 320. As noted above, the optic mount 200 (or anothercomponent) includes a complementary dovetail groove 278 configured toslidably receive the protrusion 320 to mount the optic mount 200 to theside rail 300. The protrusion 320 extends between and up to the sidesurfaces 312, 314 defining a substantially planar uppermost surfacetherebetween.

The side rail 300 includes two spaced openings 326, 328 extendingbetween the front and rear surfaces 308, 310. The openings 326, 328 canbe countersunk holes with recesses 330, 332 surrounding the openings326, 328 at the front surface 308. When positioned against the receiverof a rifle, the openings 326, 328 can align with corresponding openingsin the receiver wall such that mounting pins can be passed through theopenings 326, 328 and the receiver wall to secure the side rail 300 tothe rifle.

The side rail 300 includes a concave, scalloped section 302 (e.g., acutout) formed in the protrusion 320. In some embodiments, the scallopedsection 302 can be disposed at a midpoint or central location of theprotrusion 320 as measured between the side surfaces 312, 314. Thescalloped section 302 can extend from the uppermost surface of theprotrusion 320 downwardly towards the top surface 308 of the side rail300. The scalloped section 302 is configured to receive at least aportion of a contoured top and/or bottom section 166, 168 of the lever104 to prevent lateral movement of the optic mount 200 relative to theside rail 300.

The side rail 300 can include one or more cutouts for accommodatingcomponents of the rifle and/or reducing the overall weight of the siderail 300. For example, the side rail 300 can include cutouts 334, 344for reducing the overall weight of the side rail 300. The side rail 300can also include cutouts 336, 338 and recessed areas 340, 342. Cutout336 provides clearance for a folding triangle stock frequently used onan AK rifle, recessed areas 340, 342 provide clearance for rivet headson the AK rifle's receiver wall, and cutout 338 provides clearance foran AK rifle's auto sear axis pin. The cutout 334 can be substantiallyrectangular in shape and disposed between the holes 326, 328. In someembodiments, the side rail 300 can include cutouts 346, 348 formed inthe protrusion 220 for reducing the overall weight of the side rail 300.The cutouts 346, 348 can be disposed on opposing sides of the cutout 334and spaced from the side surfaces 312, 314, thereby maintaining a widesection of the protrusion 320 for mounting of a rifle component to theside rail 300.

FIG. 23 is a front view of the side rail 300 mounted to a left wall of areceiver 402 of a rifle 400, and FIG. 24 is a side view of the opticmount 200 mounted to the side rail 300 with the optic mount assembly100. The side rail 300 can be positioned against the outer surface ofthe receiver 402 and mounting pins 404, 406 can be used to secure theside rail 300 to the receiver 402. The optic mount 200 can be engagedwith the side rail 300 by sliding the protrusion 320 of the side rail300 into the groove 278 of the optic mount 200. The optic mount assembly100 can be assembled with the optic mount 200 as described above withrespect to FIGS. 18 and 19. Particularly, the lever 104 can bepositioned over and adjacent to the flange 266, and the clamping bar 102can be assembled with the fastener 106.

The clamping bar 102 can be slid upwardly into the cutout 244 at thebottom surface 206 of the optic mount 200 until the distal end 192 ofthe fastener 106 passes through the central hole 256 in the optic mount200 and threadingly engages with the holes 174, 176 at the bottom of thelever 104. As the clamping bar 102 is slid upwardly into the cutout 244,the cutout 128 in the clamping bar 102 is positioned against an edge ofthe protrusion 320 due to the extension of the cutout 244 into the firstsection 280 in the optic mount 200. The fastener 106 can be tightenedrelative to the lever 104 to reduce the distance between the cutout 128and the protrusion 320.

The lever 104 can be rotated into the locked or closed position shown inFIG. 24 to further engage the fastener 106 and reduce the distancebetween the clamping bar 102 and the protrusion 320. Rotation of thelever 104 into the locked or closed position compresses the cutout 128of the clamping bar 102 against the edge of the protrusion 320. Thecompression force between the cutout 128 and the protrusion 320 preventsboth vertical (up and down) and lateral movement of the optic mountassembly (and, in turn, the optic mount 200) relative to the side rail300. As the lever 104 is rotated into the locked or closed position, thetop and/or bottom sections 166, 168 of the lever 104 rotate into andengage with the scalloped section 302 of the side rail 300. Theengagement between the lever 104 and the cutout (e.g., scalloped section302) prevents lateral movement of the optic mount assembly 100 (and, inturn, the optic mount 200) relative to the side rail 300 (e.g., preventssliding of the optic mount 200 along the protrusion 320). In addition tothe engagement mechanism 288, engagement between the lever 104 and thescalloped section 302 can assist in maintaining the locked position ofthe lever 104. The optic mount assembly 100 thereby prevents bothlateral and vertical movement of the optic mount 200 relative to theside rail 300, and can conform to protrusions 320 of different sizes.

With reference to FIGS. 25-28, side and perspective views of anexemplary accessory rail 502, a perspective view of a clamp 504, and aperspective view of an accessory rail assembly 500 are provided.Although the configuration of the accessory rail 502 is shown in FIGS.25-28 as a side rail in the form of a Picattiny rail, it should beunderstood that the accessory rail 502 can be any type of fixation orclamping surface that is selectively attachable to a fixture associatedwith a firearm. For example, the accessory rail 502 can include aclamping or fixation surface in the form of, e.g., a Picattiny rail, aflat bar with rings (to attach a flashlight, for example), a flat barwith threaded holes (to attach a laser, for example), or the like. Theaccessory rail 502 can also be selectively attached to any type offixture associated with a firearm, e.g., an optic mount, a handguard, orthe like.

The accessory rail 502 includes a body 506 with a front side 508 and arear side 510. The front side 508 includes an accessory mountingstructure or surface (e.g., a Picattiny rail structure, a flat bar withrings, a flat bar with threaded holes, or the like). In the embodimentof FIGS. 25-28, the accessory mounting structure or surface includes acentral groove 512 extending the length of the accessory rail 502, asmeasured between side surfaces 514, 516. In some embodiments, the sidesurfaces 514, 516 can be angled (e.g., about 25-75 degrees, about 35-65degrees, about 45-55 degrees, or the like) relative to a vertical axis.The accessory rail 502 includes sets of slots 518 and steps 520 formedon opposing sides of the central groove 512 at the front side 508 formounting components to the accessory rail 502.

When viewed from the front surface, as shown in FIG. 25, the accessoryrail 502 can include a top edge 522 and a bottom edge 524. The top andbottom edges 522, 524 can connect with angled rear surfaces 526, 528that transition to a substantially planar intermediate surface 530. Theaccessory rail 502 includes an intermediate block or section 532 thatcan extend from and have a substantially complementary size to theplanar intermediate surface 530. Particularly, the intermediate section532 can define a substantially rectangular configuration with side edgescorresponding or aligned with side surfaces 514, 516 of the accessoryrail 502, and top and bottom surfaces corresponding or aligned with theconnecting edge between the planar intermediate surface 530 and the rearsurfaces 526, 528. The intermediate section 532 includes a substantiallyplanar rear surface 534.

At or near the upper edge of the intermediate section 532 and at therear surface 534, the accessory rail 502 includes a first protrusion 536extending substantially perpendicularly from the rear surface 534 andaway from the front surface 508. At or near the lower edge of theintermediate section 532 and at the rear surface 534, the accessory rail502 includes a second protrusion 538 extending substantiallyperpendicularly from the rear surface 534 and away from the frontsurface 508. Each protrusion 536, 538 includes a planar inner surface540, curved or angled side surfaces 542, and a tapered, angled outersurface 544.

The inner surfaces 540 of the protrusions 536, 538 face each other in aspaced manner, while the outer surfaces 544 of the protrusions 536, 538face away from each other in opposing directions. The outer surfaces 544can gradually taper towards and connect with the rear surface 534 at therespective upper and lower edges of the intermediate section 532. Theaccessory rail 502 includes two holes 546, 548 extending entirelythrough the body 506 at the central groove 512. In some embodiments, theholes 546, 548 can include a tapped or recessed area 550 at the centralgroove 512 surface to receive heads of fasteners 552. The protrusions536, 538 and, particularly, the inner surfaces 540 of the protrusions536, 538, are disposed on opposing sides of the holes 546, 548.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the clamp 504. As will be discussed ingreater detail below, the clamp 504 is configured to engage with theaccessory rail 502 on opposing sides of a fixture (e.g., an optic mount,a handguard, or the like) to secure the accessory rail 502 to thefixture. The clamp 504 includes a body 554 with a central section 556and two extensions 558, 560 on opposing sides of the central section556. The central section 556 and the two extensions 558, 560 share aplanar, front surface 562 of the clamp 504. The thickness of the centralsection 556 is dimensioned greater than the thickness of the extensions558, 560, resulting in a stepped configuration at rear surface 564 ofthe central section 556 and the rear surfaces 566, 568 of the extensions558, 560.

Each extension 558, 560 can include a tapered or angled radial sidesurface 570, 572 between an edge 574, 576 at the front surface 562 andthe respective rear surfaces 566, 568. The side surfaces 578 of thecentral section 556 can be substantially perpendicular relative to therear surfaces 566, 568. The clamp 504 includes two holes 580, 582 formedtherein and extending from the rear surface 564 of the central section556 to the front surface 562. During assembly with the accessory rail502, the holes 580, 582 of the clamp 504 can correspond with the holes546, 548 of the accessory rail 502 such that the fasteners 552 can beused to secure the accessory rail 502 and the clamp 504 to each other onopposing sides of the fixture.

For clarity, FIG. 28 shows the accessory rail assembly 500 without thefixture. During assembly, the holes 580, 582 of the clamp 504 can bealigned with the holes 546, 548 of the accessory rail 502 to pass thefasteners 552 therethrough. As the fasteners 552 are tightened, thecentral section 556 can fit between the inner surfaces 540 of theprotrusions 536, 538, with the rear surface 564 of the central section556 positioned against or adjacent to the rear surface 534 of theintermediate section 532.

FIG. 29 shows a rear, perspective view of assembly of the accessory rail502 with the fixture 600. Although shown in FIG. 29 as an optic mount,it should be understood that any type of fixture 600 capable ofstructurally receiving and engaging with the accessory rail assembly 500can be used (e.g., a handguard, or the like). In combination, theaccessory rail assembly 500 and the fixture 600 can be referred to as anaccessory rail system, an optic mount system, a handguard mount system,or the like. In some embodiments, the fixture 600 can be substantiallysimilar to the structure of the optic mount 200, except for thedistinctions noted herein. Therefore, like reference numbers refer tolike structures. The fixture 600 includes intermediate and lateral beams232, 234 forming a cutout 228 therebetween. At the cutout 228, the beam232 includes an inner surface 602 and the beam 234 includes an innersurface 604, with the inner surfaces 602, 604 facing each other. Thebeams 232, 234 include corresponding grooves 606, 608 formed at the rearsurfaces and extending into the inner surfaces 602, 604.

Each groove 606, 608 includes a substantially planar or flat bottomsurface 610 and a rounded, tapered side wall 612 extending between therear surface of the beam 232, 234 and the bottom surface 610. Thegrooves 606, 608 can substantially align on the fixture 600 relative tohorizontal to ensure proper alignment of the accessory rail 502 duringmounting. The distance between the outermost edges of the grooves 606,608 can be complementary to the overall length of the clamp 504 at theedges 574, 576 of the front surface 562. The tapered side walls 612 canbe angled complementary to the tapered side surfaces 570, 572 of theextensions 558, 560 of the clamp 504, such that the clamp 504 can bepositioned into the grooves 606, 608 during assembly with the fixture600.

As shown in FIG. 29, the accessory rail 502 can initially be positionedagainst the front surface of the beams 232, 234 such that the rearsurface 534 of the intermediate section 532 is positioned against thefront surface of the beams 232, 234. The protrusions 536, 538 arepositioned within the cutout 228 such that the side surfaces 542 of theprotrusions 536, 538 are positioned against or immediately adjacent tothe inner surfaces 602, 604 of the beams 232, 234. The tight orcomplementary fit between the protrusions 536, 538 between the innersurfaces 602, 604 of the beams 232, 234 prevents or reduces side-to-sidemotion of the accessory rail 502 after mounting (e.g., motion alonghorizontal).

As shown in FIG. 30, after the accessory rail 502 has been positionedagainst the front surface of the beams 232, 234, the clamp 504 isinserted into the grooves 606, 608. The position of the accessory rail502 can be adjusted as needed to align the holes 546, 548 of theaccessory rail 502 with the holes 580, 582 of the clamp 504. Afterinsertion of the clamp 504 into the grooves 606, 608, the front surface562 of the clamp 504 sits at a plane offset from the plane defined bythe rear surface of the beams 232, 234. In particular, the clamp 504does not extend beyond the rear surface of the beams 232, 234, andinstead fits within the grooves 606, 608 below the rear surface planesuch that that clamp 504 does not interfere with normal use and/ormounting of the fixture 600.

After alignment of the accessory rail 502 with the clamp 504, thefasteners 552 can be used to tighten the accessory rail 502 and clamp504 to each other, thereby securing the accessory rail assembly 500 tothe fixture 600. The holes 580, 582 of the clamp 504 can include innerthreads complementary to outer threads of the fasteners 552, such thatthe fasteners 552 can be threaded into the clamp 504. In addition toprotrusions 536, 538 of the accessory rail 502, the position of theclamp 504 within the grooves 606, 608 assists in maintaining theposition of the accessory rail assembly 500 relative to the fixture 600.In particular, the clamp 504 sits within the grooves 606, 608, andengagement of the clamp 504 with the side walls 612 of the grooves 606,608 assists in preventing or reducing side-to-side (e.g., alonghorizontal) and up-and-down (e.g., along a vertical plane extendingperpendicular to horizontal) motion of the accessory rail assembly 500.

In addition, after the fasteners 552 have been tightened, the centralsection 556 of the clamp 504 is inserted into and between theprotrusions 536, 538 of the accessory rail 502, providing additionalassistance in preventing or reducing up-and-down motion of the accessoryrail assembly 500 relative to the fixture 600. FIGS. 31-33 showperspective and front views of the accessory rail assembly 500 mountedto the fixture 600. The detachable accessory rail assembly 500 orientsthe accessory rail 502 sideways as compared to traditional fixture 600rails, with the accessory rail assembly 500 mounted substantiallyaligned with horizontal. In some embodiments, the orientation of theaccessory rail assembly 500 can be aligned with horizontal as welldepending on the needs of the user. The accessory rail assembly 500allows for additional components and/or accessories (e.g., a lasersight, flashlight, or the like) to be secured to the fixture 600.

As noted above, the accessory rail disclosed herein can include any typeof fixation or clamping surface that is selectively attachable to afixture associated with a firearm. Such clamping or fixation surface canbe in the form of, e.g., a Picattiny rail, a flat bar with rings (toattach a flashlight, for example), a flat bar with threaded holes (toattach a laser, for example), or the like. With reference to FIG. 34, aperspective view of an exemplary accessory rail 700 having a clamping orfixation surface in the form of a flat bar with rings is provided. Theaccessory rail 700 can be substantially similar in structure and/orfunction to the accessory rail 502. Therefore, like reference numbersrepresent like structures.

Rather than including the Picattiny rail at the top side 508, theaccessory rail 700 can include two mounting ring assemblies 702, 704(e.g., scope or accessory rings). Each ring assembly 702, 704 can bedisposed at or near the respective side surfaces 706, 708 of theaccessory rail 700. Each ring assembly 702, 704 can include a connectingpost 710 extending substantially perpendicularly from the top side 508of a substantially rectangular body 502. The post 710 can be integrallyformed with a first or lower half 712, 714 of the ring assembly 702,704. Each ring assembly 702, 704 includes an upper or second half 716,718. Each half 712-718 includes an inner semicircular surface or openingsuch that when the halves 712-718 are positioned against each other, asubstantially circular opening 720 is formed.

The circular opening 720 can receive an accessory, such as a flashlight,laser, or scope. Although only visible at one endpoint, each of themounting endpoints of the halves 712-718 includes holes 722 (e.g.,threaded holes) configured to receive a fastener 724 therethrough. Theaccessory can thereby be positioned onto the semicircular surface of thehalves 712, 716, the halves 714, 718 can be positioned over theaccessory, and four fasteners 724 can be used to couple the halves712-718 together to retain the position of the accessory. It should beunderstood that the accessory rail 700 can be detachably coupled to afixture (e.g., an optic mount, a handguard, or the like) with the clamp504 in a substantially similar manner as the accessory rail 502.

With reference to FIG. 35, a perspective view of an exemplary accessoryrail 800 having a Picattiny weaver rail configuration is provided. Theaccessory rail 800 can be substantially similar in structure and/orfunction to the accessory rail 502. Therefore, like reference numbersrepresent like structures. Rather than including a traditional Picattinyrail at the top side 508, the accessory rail 800 can include a Picattinyweaver rail structure. Such structure can include a substantially flator textured central groove 802 extending the length of the accessoryrail 800 as measured between side surfaces 804, 806. The accessory rail800 includes sets of slots 808 and steps 810 formed on opposing sides ofthe central groove 802 at the front side 508 for mounting components tothe accessory rail 800. It should be understood that the accessory rail800 can be detachably coupled to a fixture (e.g., an optic mount, ahandguard, or the like) with the clamp 504 in a substantially similarmanner as the accessory rail 502.

While exemplary embodiments have been described herein, it is expresslynoted that these embodiments should not be construed as limiting, butrather that additions and modifications to what is expressly describedherein also are included within the scope of the present disclosure.Moreover, it is to be understood that the features of the variousembodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist invarious combinations and permutations, even if such combinations orpermutations are not made express herein, without departing from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure.

1. An accessory rail, comprising: a body including a front side and arear side; an accessory mounting structure at the front side of thebody, the accessory mounting structure capable of detachably engaging anaccessory for a fixture; and two protrusions extending from the rearside of the body, the two protrusions configured to at least partiallyengage with the fixture during mounting of the accessory rail to thefixture.
 2. The accessory rail of claim 1, wherein the accessorymounting structure includes a central groove extending a length of thebody, and sets of slots and steps on opposing sides of the centralgroove.
 3. The accessory rail of claim 1, wherein the accessory mountingstructure includes clamping rings, each clamping ring including firstand second halves detachable relative to each other.
 4. The accessoryrail of claim 1, wherein the body includes an intermediate sectionincluding a planar surface defining the rear side of the body.
 5. Theaccessory rail of claim 4, wherein the two protrusions extendsubstantially perpendicularly from the planar surface of theintermediate section.
 6. The accessory rail of claim 1, wherein the twoprotrusions each include an inner surface, an outer surface, and sidesurfaces.
 7. The accessory rail of claim 6, wherein the two protrusionsextend from the rear side of the body in a spaced manner with the innersurfaces of the protrusions facing each other.
 8. The accessory rail ofclaim 1, comprising two holes extending through the body between thefront and rear sides.
 9. The accessory rail of claim 8, wherein each ofthe two holes is configured to receive a fastener therethrough formounting the accessory rail to the fixture.
 10. An accessory railassembly, comprising: an accessory rail including (i) a body including afront side and a rear side, (ii) an accessory mounting structure at thefront side of the body, the accessory mounting structure capable ofdetachably engaging an accessory for a fixture, and (iii) twoprotrusions extending from the rear side of the body, the twoprotrusions configured to at least partially engage with the fixtureduring mounting of the accessory rail to the fixture; and a clampconfigured to engage with the accessory rail to detachably secure theaccessory rail assembly to the fixture.
 11. The accessory rail assemblyof claim 10, wherein the clamp includes a body with a central sectionand two extensions on opposing sides of the central section.
 12. Theaccessory rail assembly of claim 11, wherein the central section and thetwo extensions share a front surface of the clamp.
 13. The accessoryrail assembly of claim 11, wherein each extension of the two extensionsincludes a rear surface and tapered side surfaces.
 14. The accessoryrail assembly of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the centralsection of the clamp is configured to fit between the two protrusions ofthe accessory rail during engagement of the accessory rail with theclamp.
 15. An accessory rail system, comprising: an accessory railassembly including: an accessory rail including (i) a body including afront side and a rear side, (ii) an accessory mounting structure at thefront side of the body, the accessory mounting structure capable ofdetachably engaging an accessory for a fixture, and (iii) twoprotrusions extending from the rear side of the body, the twoprotrusions configured to at least partially engage with the fixtureduring mounting of the accessory rail to the fixture; and a clampconfigured to engage with the accessory rail; and the fixture includingtwo grooves formed therein, the two grooves each configured to at leastpartially receive therein the clamp during engagement of the clamp andthe accessory rail with the fixture, wherein the accessory rail isconfigured to be positioned on one side of the fixture, and the clamp isconfigured to be positioned on an opposing side of the fixture, theclamp and the accessory rail engaged with each other to detachablysecure the accessory rail assembly to the fixture.
 16. The accessoryrail system of claim 15, wherein the two grooves of the fixture includea first groove formed in a first beam of the fixture and a second grooveformed in a second beam of the fixture.
 17. The accessory rail system ofclaim 15, wherein the clamp includes a body with a central section andtwo extensions on opposing sides of the central section.
 18. Theaccessory rail system of claim 17, wherein each extension of the twoextensions includes a rear surface and tapered side surfaces, thetapered side surfaces of the two extensions complementary to taperedside walls of the two grooves.
 19. The accessory rail system of claim15, wherein during engagement of the accessory rail with the clamp, thetwo protrusions of the accessory rail are positioned within a cutout ofthe fixture.
 20. The accessory rail system of claim 17, wherein duringengagement of the accessory rail with the clamp, at least a portion ofthe central section of the clamp is positioned between the twoprotrusions of the accessory rail.